An Appeal to Friends and Neighbors....

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I always shoot paper 16 gauge shells at squirrels, I killed my first squirrel with one and have continued that tradition all my life. I've had the best luck with these star crimp Winchesters, they never fail to go off or squib.

Was getting ready for the opener on Monday and went to get a box out of the ammo cabinet, had four full and a partial in there. Opened a fresh box and "What the hell?" damn reloads. Opened the other three full ones, same thing. I'd bought them out of an estate a couple years ago and guess I never looked close.

I managed to make it through two hunts on the partial box but this is all I've got left. It's going to pain me to break tradition and start shooting them with plastic.

Does anybody have any laying around they would sell? They're 1 1/8 ounce of #5 or #6, hell I'd even take #4. I'd also take Federal star crimp papers in the same loading. Loose shells or in boxes, doesn't matter to me.

[Scott Gentry]

All I have in paper are these, 6 shot.

[Steve Huffman]

Im looking found about 10 boxes of 20 but no 16s Yet man I need to get rid of some stuff !

[scott kittredge]

I think I do have some 16's, You can have them if I can find them. I will check when I get home from work.(boy, I can't wait so I don't have to say that any more)
scott

[CraigThompson]

Why not reload the paper WIN hulls ????

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I haven't reloaded a shell in 25 years. I have too many hobbies that cost money, I just shoot factory loads.

Thanks for looking guys, keep it up!

[Mills Morrison]

RST paper shells are great. Harry is addicted to them and my flat is fast disappearing

[Destry L. Hoffard]

My tradition on squirrels is for vintage shells, I'm going to carry that on as long as I can. When it gets to the point I can't find them anymore I'll move on to Winchester Mark 5 plastics of which I have a case or so. Nothing against RST obviously, those boys are doing great work, but I want old ones if possible.

[scott kittredge]

I think I do have some 16's, You can have them if I can find them. I will check when I get home from work.(boy, I can't wait so I don't have to say that any more)
scott

Sorry buddy, i can't find them. i had a coffee can full of 16 ga paper shells i got from a house clean out. I took them home and i don't even ha a 16 ga. If i find them i will get them to you. I have a lot of 20 ga paper shells like new that i bird hunt with.
Scott

[Dave Noreen]

All I have in paper are these, 6 shot.

I'd be real surprised if those will fire. I had a box of those late 1930s vintage Super-Speeds in 12-gauge that I took to the Heartland in 2001. First Rooster that got up all I got out of Meat-in-the-Pot was click, click. Tried a few more with the same result. Left the box sitting on a fence post in a hunter access parking lot in southeast Nebraska.

A few years ago I brought a bunch of 16-gauge Super-Speed and Super-X of late 1940s/early 1950s vintage home from my late Father-in-Law's shop in Kodiak, AK. Tried a few of them and while they did fire, there was quite a noticeable lag from the time the firing pin hit the primer until ignition. Western Cartridge Co. used those blue and yellow Super-X boxes from 1940 to 1960.

I'd prefer something with fresher primers for any serious hunting.

[roger mcmanimon]

A very rough rule of thumb is that vintage roll crimp papers fire about 50% of the time at best, its not the powder but the primers. Advances in primer chemistry around the time of WWII which roughly coincides with the advent of star crimped shells alleviated the problem for us vintage shell hunters. Another tip off is if the primer has darkened. The chemical reaction of the priming compound will tarnish the primer from the inside as it degrades.

Good luck in your search.

[Phil Yearout]

I have a few boxes of Remington Long Range and Winchester Rangers shells in16ga. They were my Pop's, and I haven't been able to bring myself to shoot them, let alone sell them. I feel your pain, but sorry, I just can't turn loose!

[Dave Noreen]

FWIW, all our North American ammunition companies introduced the pie crimp on their 12-gauge trap and 12-, 16- & 20-gauge skeet loads about 1938. DuPont got the pie crimp out on their Peters High Velocity and Remington Express in 1946. It took the Olins a bit longer, but they got the pie crimp out on their Western Super-X and Winchester Super-Speed by 1948.

[Steve Huffman]

I have found a box of Western Super X 1 1/8 5 shot paper star crimp and someone dated the box 9 /1/62 the brass does have some corrosion . This is a full box the box is in NOS condition . I may locate more I will let you know . Please PM me your contact number and a good time to call you ! These are on me for all the work you did on the Parker Patch There is a code on the box 3X16H5

[Michael Moffa]

Destry:

Hi, I have a box of Super-X roll crimp paper 16ga #5's NOS. They are yours for all the work on the patch and the sweater and for being an all around good guy. I've never shipped shells, so if someone would like to tell me how to do this I will be happy to get them to Destry.

[Steve Huffman]

Destry:

Hi, I have a box of Super-X roll crimp paper 16ga #5's NOS. They are yours for all the work on the patch and the sweater and for being an all around good guy. I've never shipped shells, so if someone would like to tell me how to do this I will be happy to get them to Destry.

Im in the same boat not sure how to ship either !

[Phillip Carr]

I recently shipped some ammo. The best way I have found is to ship by UPS.

https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/packaging-and-supplies/special-care-shipments/hazardous-materials/shipping-ammunition.page

Pretty easy. Ship the shells in its box. I wrap cling Wrap or cover in Brown paper to hold the shells snug. Place in box padded well. Place a ORM-D label or black and white Diamond on outside of box. ( print off internet). Go to actual UPS company freight center. Tell the person you are shipping ammo. Done deal. There is no extra charge for shipping ammo. Don’t try to go to the private owned UPS stores. They will not ship.
Hope this helps. Destry I have some you can have but they are 1oz #9’s marked Target.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Dave Noreen see those shells laying in front of that box? That's all that's left out of a full box. They every one shot just fine. These and star crimp paper Federals always seem to go off for me and kill game.

[Dean Weber]

Destry,
Will these work? Its a full box.

https://i.imgur.com/oBqh1Cp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CrRUCXX.jpg

[charlie cleveland]

I bet those old shells go bang every time...neat old shells....charlie

[Dave Noreen]

Dean, it is hard to date the blue and yellow box Super-X 2 9/16 inch 16-gauge shells as they never got the Super-Seal crimp. Roll crimp right up to the end of them circa 1961, whereas the 2 3/4 inch 16-gauge Super-X got the Super-Seal crimp in 1948. But, by the knurled style canular on the brass I'd say there is a good chance they are pre-WW-II.

Destry, your Super-Seal Crimp shells could be as late as 1960/1 and probably started life with much longer lasting primers than the shells I got from my late Father-in-Law's shop building.

[Michael Moffa]

Destry, the shells are 6 and 7.5 not 5's. My mistake or senility on remembering. Hope these work on the greys. Going out tomorrow.

[Tom Flanigan]

Destry, I have a pretty extensive collection of old paper shells. I shoot those that are not in full boxes. Some are very old and, so far, I have never had one shell that failed to fire. I love the old roll crimped shells and use them exclusively on wild pheasants. It just feels so right and I never fail to sniff the cases after I fire them. The smell from the paper shells is exquisit.

I have two boxes of Remington Shur Shot #4's that I'll send you. I normally don't dip into full boxes but you are an old friend, so you are welcome to them. I'll also send you some loose 16's of the appropriate shot size.

Send me your mailing address and I'll get them out to you.

[Mark Garrett]

Destry it is very possible I have some Winchesters like those , I know I have vintage star crimped Remingtons papers. Let me look this evening.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

You boys are too good to me, I really appreciate all the help. A local friend heard of my plight and handed me a box of #8 and 10 slugs just yesterday. Not exactly what I needed but I'll keep them in reserve for other game.

[edgarspencer]

I get very nostalgic this time of year, and I suppose I'm not alone thinking about those first memories of Dad's vest full of old paper shells.
Whenever I get the chance, I pick up NOS NPEs and one of these days I'll be gone and they'll be going through my stuff wondering why I had so much 'antique' ammo,

[Mark Garrett]

Destry , I sent you a pm

[Michael Moffa]

Destry, the box is in UPS's hands now. You should have it by early next week. Good shooting.

[charlie cleveland]

this is a good thread...now ive got to decide which shells to shoot...those paper hull s really sniff good on a frosty morning....charlie

[Bill Murphy]

I still have a mixed box of "ounce balls" and other old black shells from my grandfather who died in 1929. Apparently, my dad never used them. I found them in the attic of my childhood home when I was about 11 years old and put them away for future research.

[Alfred Greeson]

You guys are great! Squirrels are tough and they probably have heard about the shell shortage by now and will be ready to run fast when you hit the woods!

[Destry L. Hoffard]

You boys are too good to me, I wanna say it again.

[Larry Stauch]

Destry, check your PMs.

[todd allen]

Gotta say, it has been fun reading this thread.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I'm putting them to good use, thanks again folks.

[Stan Hillis]

Interesting thread. Sorry I can't send any, but I shoot them, too.

I started out at age 8 shooting squirrels with a shotgun and selling them out of my Dad's country store for twenty-five cents apiece. When Dad learned I was selling them he made me start paying him for my shells. They were 3" .410, number 6s, and cost me twenty-four cents apiece. If I had to shoot a squirrel twice, or missed, I was in the hole.

When I got old enough that they would turn me loose with a .22 rifle I never used a shotgun for squirrels again, to this day. A .22 cartridge only cost me a few cents apiece ........ it was like I had hit the lottery. Head shooting squirrels with a .22 is great fun, and leaves no shot in the meat. Please don' take this as a "diss" on shotguns for squirrels. Not meant to be in any way.

SRH

[David Dumar]

I may and I know have a bunch of paper 16's laying around. I will get to looking to see what I have as i know i have a large amount from years of collecting. Possibly forward an email or phone number if allowed and I will contact you with what I find.